2 Chronicles 15:8
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 15:8 · King James Version
Meaning
When Asa, the king of Judah, heard the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he was inspired to take action. He mustered up his courage and decided to rid the land of Judah and Benjamin of the abominable idols that had been corrupting the people. Asa not only removed the idols but also went a step further by cleansing the cities taken from mount Ephraim. In addition to this, he renewed the altar of the LORD that stood before the porch of the temple, symbolizing a return to true worship of God. This verse demonstrates Asa's commitment to following the word of the prophet and his dedication to purifying the land of Judah and Benjamin from idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continuously renewing our faith and cleansing our lives from anything that hinders our relationship with God.
Theological Overview
Asa's response to the prophecy of Oded the prophet in 2 Chronicles 15:8 was a turning point in the spiritual life of Judah and Benjamin. His decision to remove the abominable idols from the land signified a commitment to purify the kingdom and seek the worship of the one true God. By renewing the altar of the LORD, Asa demonstrated a desire to restore proper worship practices and prioritize the relationship with God. This action also symbolized a renewal of the covenant between God and His people. Asa's courage and obedience to God's word serve as a reminder of the importance of repentance, turning away from sin, and wholeheartedly following the Lord. This passage highlights the power of prophecy and the impact it can have on individuals and nations, prompting them to make significant changes in alignment with God's will.
2 Chronicles 15:8 in other translations
American Standard Version
And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill-country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of Jehovah, that was before the porch of Jehovah.
World English Bible
When Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominations out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from the hill country of Ephraim; and he renewed the altar of Yahweh, that was before the porch of Yahweh.
Douay-Rheims
And when Asa had heard the words, and the prophecy of Azarias the son of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and took away the idols out of all the land of Juda, and out of Benjamin, and out of the cities of mount Ephraim, which he had taken, and he dedicated the altar of the Lord, which was before the porch of the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Asa heard these wordes, and the prophesie of Obed the Prophet, he was encouraged, and tooke away the abominations out of all the lande of Iudah, and Beniamin, and out of the cities which he had taken of mount Ephraim, and he renued the altar of the Lord, that was before the porche of the Lord.